
Editors’ note: This guide was first published May 2016 and last updated August 2, 2021.
Sadly, National Fry Day does not fall on a Friday this year (bummer), but in our book, every day is Fry-day.
Here’s our list of the 12 best fries in Charlotte from each fry category. (Listed in no particular order).
Best classic fry – Ace No. 3
No frills, just good ol’ classic fries. And be sure to try them with Ace’s comeback sauce.
Locations:
- Myers Park – 829 Providence Rd.
- Concord Mills – 8520 Pit Stop Ct. NW #10
- Belmont Village – 1001 Belmont Ave.
Best shoestring fry – Café Monte
Aka, “Pommes Frites” like they’re called on the menu. They’re thin and crispy so you can dip multiple in ketchup at once.
Location: 6700 Fairview Rd. Suite #108

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Best waffle fry – Pinky’s Westside Grill
Order them plain or if you’re really about it, order the Pimp n’ Fries (waffle fries covered in Pinky’s world-famous pimento cheese). You’ll probably need a two- to four-hour nap afterward.
Location: 1600 West Morehead St.
Best crinkle-cut fry – Midwood Smokehouse
These crinkle-cut fries come topped with pimento cheese, plus you can add chopped pork, homemade chorizo or chopped brisket. It’s definitely a shareable portion, so you can let your friends steal a couple, but not too many.
Locations:
- Plaza Midwood – 1401 Central Ave.
- Park Road Shopping Center – 540-C Brandywine Rd.
- Ballantyne – 12410 Johnston Rd.
- Birkdale Village – 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.
Best piled-high fries – Dilworth Tasting Room
This stack of truffle fries actually has some vertical to it. The fries are crispy and tossed in herbs, lemon zest and topped with shredded parmesan cheese with truffle aioli on the side.
Location: 4905 Ashley Park Ln., Suite J
Best over-the-top fry – What the Fries
Lobster mac & cheese fries, veggie hibachi fries and flaming hot fries are just a few of the loaded fry combos to choose from at What the Fries. The classic cheesy fries are a crowd favorite.
Location: 10707 Park Rd., Suite F

One of the most popular loaded dishes is the cheesy fries made with three cheeses.
Best fancy fry – RH Rooftop
Priced at $18, these definitely are some fancy fries. They’re made with black truffles, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and truffle aioli.
Location: 6903 Phillips Place Ct.
Best seasoned fry – Bojangles’
Before you roast us for including Bonjangles’ on this list, Bojangles’ is local and, admittedly, has some tasty seasoned fries.
Pro-tip: Ask for extra seasoning, or, better yet, buy your own bottle ($5.99) and sprinkle it on everything you can possibly think of.
Location: Multiple locations
Best fry without even trying – Viva Chicken
With a consistency close to a beer-battered fry, their fries are so crunchy that they do something that is almost unheard of in the french fry category: They travel well.
Pro-tip: Forget the ketchup and dip these bad boys into the Aji Amarillo sauce.
Location: Multiple locations
Best extra-crispy fry – The Goodyear House
The fries come in a bag and come with your choice of togarashi, garlic-herb-parm, or sea salt & malt vinegar.
Location: 3032 North Davidson St.
Fan-favorite fry – Crepe Cellar
These famous fries are hand-cut and twice-fried with pine nut basil pesto, melted brie and tomatoes sprinkled on top.
Location: 3116 N. Davidson St.

Crepe Cellar’s pesto brie fries. Photo courtesy of Crepe Cellar.
Best fry and sauce combo – Good Wurst Company
The new-ish deli and restaurant sells Belgian frites with European-style mayo.
Location: 3001 Central Ave.